Little Adder Hyssop

Add season long color and pollinator appeal with 'Little Adder' Hyssop.

This compact anise hyssop (Agastache rugosa) is covered with purple flower spikes throughout the summer. It’s half the size of Black Adder and Blue Fortune, growing only 15 to 18” tall, but producing three times the flowers. The full, well branched plant is perfect for the edge of the garden, small spaces and containers.

The anise scented leaves remain green throughout the summer and resemble catmint. Little Adder hyssop forms a mound 22” wide and won’t take over the garden like many of its mint family relatives.

Grow this easy-care beauty in full to partial sun locations with well-drained soils. Once established, it is drought tolerant.

Plant it where you can enjoy watching the butterflies, bumblebees and hummingbirds stop by for a visit. And luckily the deer tend to leave it be.

A bit more information: Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is also a great addition to the garden. It grows several feet tall and wide but reseeds readily. So, give it room to spread or plan on sharing seedlings with friends or the compost pile.